Mavericks exploring Kyrie Irving trades would help avoid a Jalen Brunson 2.0 disaster

If the Dallas Mavericks want to fully avoid the risk of Kyrie Irving leaving for nothing in free agency next summer, they need to explore trades for the nine-time All-Star ahead of the trade deadline. This is an issue that the franchise is all too familiar with, as Jalen Brunson left them for nothing in the summer of 2022 to sign with the New York Knicks.

Dallas' Jalen Brunson situation was a gut punch

While Dallas made the Western Conference Finals in Brunson's final season with the team in 2021-22, not moving him at the trade deadline and allowing him to walk in free agency proved to be disastrous. They could've gotten value back for Brunson if they traded him at the deadline. Instead, they lost him in free agency, he became one of the best point guards in the NBA, and led the Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973.

Brunson changed everything for New York, and Mavericks fans were left with a pit in their stomach after seeing how much JB grew after leaving Dallas. Fans will always wonder what the Mavericks would've looked like now if they had kept Luka Doncic and Brunson together. If they don't want something similar to happen again, they should at least consider trading Irving rather than rebuffing all of the offers that come their way.

The Mavericks could lose Irving in a similar fashion

While Dallas is in a bit of a different position this season than they were in 2021-22, there are still some similarities. Instead of being an unrestricted free agent after this season like Brunson was, Irving is under contract through the end of the 2027-28 season. If he opts into his $43.4 million player option after next season, he'll still have one more year with the team.

If not, he'll be an unrestricted free agent. This could prove to be a nightmare for the Mavs — especially if he has a great season.

Imagine if Irving turns back the clock, Dallas holds onto him, and he opts out of his contract and tests the waters in free agency. This would put pressure on the Mavericks to re-sign him to a lucrative contract. If they didn't, they would be left without their star point guard with nothing to show for it.

This is exactly what happened with Brunson, and while Irving is in a much different spot in his career than Brunson was in 2022, the lesson is still there.

Why trading Dallas should explore Irving trades

If the Mavericks want to embrace the Cooper Flag era, trading Irving to the highest bidder at the trade deadline may be the best way to do this. They need to put Flagg in the best possible place to contend for NBA championships, and trading Irving for players on his timeline and acquiring draft capital isn't a bad plan.

Kyrie would command a hefty trade return next season if he comes back strong, and if the Mavs don't want to end up in a Brunson situation, they shouldn't be against the idea of moving on.

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